Local News

Accused Child Killer Charged

RIVERSIDE - A convicted felon and self-admitted gang member has been charged with murder and attempted murder for allegedly killing a 6-year-old girl and wounding her father, who were at a family party in Moreno Valley.

Johnson was identified following a "thorough, diligent" investigation by homicide investigators into the Sept. 7 shooting of Tiana Ricks of Victorville and her father, 26-year-old Tyrell Ricks Jr., according to Riverside County sheriff's Deputy Albert Martinez.

The ex-con was located at a house at 230 Valley View Drive in Hemet around 4 p.m. Monday and taken into custody without incident, he said. Johnson was being held without bail at the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside.

Tiana and her father were shot at a going-away party for a family member. Witnesses said two men crashed the private house party in the 25000 block of Harker Lane, shouting a gang slogan before opening fire on partygoers.

The child died at Riverside County Regional Medical Center in Moreno Valley about two hours later.

The gunmen were not known to the victims, according to witnesses.

Prosecutors are expected to make an announcement tomorrow regarding charges against Johnson, who has prior convictions for felony burglary, gang activity and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, according to court records.